Plastic fishhook and snell holder



Jan. 3, 1950 L. E. HAMEL 2,493,344

PLASTIC FISHHOOK AND SNELL HOIIDER uugun aw mm mm v @0510 um anion 100 00 an mm um 10 101 N INVFNTOR. 1 {,5 lea/L's EHameZ Jan. 3, 1950 L. E. HAMEL 2,493,344

PLASTIC FISHHOOK AND SNELL HOLDER Filed July 12, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

Patented Jan. 3, 1950 PLASTIC FISHHOOK AND SNELL HOLDER Lewis E. Hamel, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to Lewis E. Hamel 00., Inc., Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application July 12, 1949, Serial No. 104,217

9 Claims.

This invention relates to a plastic vfishhook and snell holder, more particularly of the type in which the shell is engaged at one end with a yieldably mounted spring-actuated retainer while the hook is inserted through a selected opening at the other end and engaged with a stop portion, and it has for its object .to afford a structure made from plastic material, enabling its production at considerably lower cost than structures heretofore produced for the purpose and affording a device of extremely light weight which at the same time is strong and durable.

A more .particular object of the invention is to provide a device made from plastic material incorporating a sealed air chamber, which causes the device to float if dropped in the water, thus overcoming a serious disadvantage of earlier types of fishhook holders which sink quickly when accidentally dropped in water.

Another purpose of the invention is to afiord a structure that can be economically and readily manufactured from plastic material and com prises a housing consisting of two sections o channeled cross-section, which are positioned with their'edges in contact with each other and permanently attached by a suitable cementing medium, by heat or otherwise, and when assembled in such position aiford :a hollow housing having opposite front walls and parallel side and end walls.

A further object of the invention is to afiord a plastic fishhook and snell holder composed of two sections fastened together and having slots in their front walls at one end to receive the endwise movable spring-controlled retainers .and multiple series of transverse hook-receivingopem ings at the opposite end, the sections being .constructed so as to brace and strengthen the front walls at the ends where the hook-receiving openings are located and to guide and control the springs effectively at the opposite end where the spring-controlled retainers are housed.

An additional purpose of the invention is to aliord a plastic fishhook and shell hold-er composed of two sections in which each sectionis so constructed as to provide a sealed .air chamber when the sections are secured together, :and also to provide the sections with cooperatinginstrumentalities to insure properly locating the sections when assembling .and attaching them together.

Still another purpose of the invention isto .afford a construction in which thereis a gripping or hand portion afforded at the center of the housing and the shells are accommodated in grooves formed in the outer surfaces of the sections and lie between ridges extending somewhat above the shells, ,so that there is no likelihood of accidentally engaging and pulling .a snell when a hand or finger is moved across the outer surface of the housing, the spring-actuated retainers being so arranged in relation to the housing that each smell is held in close parallel juxtarelation to the adjacent outermost flat surface of the housing .and between said ridges in the grooves.

2E0 these and other ends, the invention consists in the construction .and arrangement of parts that will appear clearly. from the following .description when read in conjunction with the .accompanying drawings, the novel features being pointed out in the claims following the specification.

In the drawings:

.Fig. 1 is a plan view .of :a fishhook and shell holder including a preferred embodiment .of the invention and showing one :hook and smell positioned thereon;

Fig. 2 is a view :in side elevation of the same;

Fig. 3 is a view end elevation looking from leftto rightof Fig. 1;

Fig. *4 is .a view in end elevation looking from right-to left-of Fig. 1.;

Fig.5 is-an interior plan view-of one-ofthe sections forming .the housing;

Fig. 6 is a view inside elevation {of :the same Fig. 7 .is-a transverse sectional view on theline 1-1 of Fig. 5 looking in the direction indicated;

Fig. 8 isa transverse sectional view on the line 8-18 of Fig. 5 looking in the direction indicated;

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. Blocking in the direction indicated;

Fig. 10 is .a longitudinal sectional view taken on the linel0-i.ll of Fig. 1 looking in the direction indicated;

Fig. :11 is an enlarged sectional view similar to Fig. 10, partially broken away, showing a hook assembled in one of the hook-receiving openings at one end of the housing as in Fig. 2;

Fig. .12 .an enlarged sectional viewsimilar "to Fig. 10, partially broken .away, taken in :a plane through .one .of the spring-actuated retainers and showing a snell engaged with .a retainer .as in Fig. 2,;

Fig. 1.3 is an enlarged perspective view .of the spring-guiding element for positioning the springs whichactuate the retainers;

Fig. 14 is .a transverse sectional view on line l4-I4 of Fig. 10 looking in the direction indicated;

'Figf1'5 is a transverse sectional view on line 3 II5 of Fig. looking in the direction indicated;

Fig. 16 is a transverse sectional view taken on line I6I 6 of Fig. 10 looking in the direction indicated, and

Fig. 17 is a transverse sectional view, partially broken away, taken on line I'|Il of Fig. 10 and looking in the direction indicated.

Referring more particularly to the drawings in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the several views, the invention comprises a housing formed of two sections, each of which is molded from heat-resistant thermoplastic polystyrene, cellulose acetate, or other suitable plastic material, into the form shown in Figs. 5 to 9 inclusive.

Each of the sections composing the housing is of channeled cross-section, as illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, and includes a main body or front wall terminating in side walls I and end walls 2 extending entirely around the front wall, while 3 designates transverse walls intermediate the end walls and of the same height as the end wall, said transverse walls acting to strengthen the sections and when the sections are secured together, as will be described presently, they aiford a sealed air chamber 4 at the center of the housing, see Figs. 10 and 12.

At one end, each body or front wall of the housing is provided with a series of parallel spaced longitudinally extending slots 5 provided at the base of the semi-circularly curved grooves 6 which extend endwise of the section on its interior surface between one end wall 2 and the adjacent transverse wall 3, see Fig. 5, while at the other end of the section there are provided multiple series of transversely arranged openings 1, said openings I being preferably arranged in six series endwise with ten openings crosswise in each series corresponding to and alined with the previously described slots 5, said openings 1 affording stop portions therebetween around which the hooks engage, as shown in Figs. 1 and 11.

8 designates a wall or partition arranged intermediate the side Walls I and extending between the adjacent transverse wall 3 and the adjacent end wall 2, said intermediate wall 8 being of the same height as the side walls I and transverse walls 3 and acting to strengthen and brace the front wall of the section at the end where the multiplicity of openings 1 are arranged, thereby preventing undue weakening of the section resulting from said openings 1 and operating to hold the front wall in proper relationship when the two sections are secured together.

One of the sections just described is provided with a series of upstanding pins 9, see Figs. 5 to 9, while the other section is provided with a series of correspondingly positioned mating openings I0, see Fig. 1'7, said pins and openings serving to locate and position the two sections accurately when assembling, and to hold them when in proper relative location until they are permanently attached.

The openings 1, see Fig. 16, are located at the base of transversely curved grooves II which extend endwise of the outer surface of each section, said grooves II functioning to receive the snells I 2, see Fig. 1, when the snells are attached ,to the holder, and between adjacent grooves I I the surface of each section is shaped to afiord upstanding ridges or projecting edges I3 which extend somewhat above the adjacent fiat surface I at the retainer end of the housing and thus afford guard means projecting above the snell, see Fig.

11, so that as a finger or hand is moved across the central or hand-gripping area of the housin in contact therewith, the snells are protected and cannot be engaged and twisted as would otherwise be the case if they should lie above the surface of the housing and in the path of a finger.

The end of each section where provided with the openings 1 in the front wall thereof is also provided with openings in its end wall such that when the two sections are secured together, openings I5 are provided, see Fig. to receive the end hooks of a snell that is too long to be positioned in the endmost series of openings 1.

The snells are engaged with spring-actuated retainers I6, see Figs, 1, 2 and 12, each of said retainers being controlled by a spring I! that surrounds an extension I8 on the retainer and acts to hold the snell I2 in taut position when assembled. It is important that the springs be accurately guided and the retainers effectively held in the housing so as to maintain the snells in close relationship to the outer surfaces of the housing, and to this end each retainer I6 and its spring I! are guided by the grooves 6 formed on the inner surfaces of the housing sections and by a spring-guiding element consisting of a plate I9 preferably formed of thermoplastic material and comprising sides 2I, ends 22, and transversely curved grooves or guideways 23 arranged on opposite surfaces of the spring-guiding element as shown in Fig. 13. The spring-guiding element or plate is located between the two sections of the housing, see Fig. 14, and when the parts are assembled serves to maintain and guide the springs I'! and the retaining members I5 as the latter travel endwise in the aforementioned slots 5 for positioning and holding a snell.

The two sections as already described are formed by molding and assembled together by first positioning one set of springs Il in the grooves 6 of the bottom section, then positioning the spring-guiding element I9 over said springs, next positioning the other set of springs in the grooves 23 on the upper side of the spring-guiding element, and finally positioning the upper section over the lower section with the pins 9 engaging openings Ill, the adjacent outer meeting edges of the sections being first coated with a suitable cellulose or other plastic cement which acts to hold the two sections permanently attached one to the other, or the sections may be secured one to the other in any convenient fashion.

The partitions or walls 3 are likewise attached when the sections are assembled by a plastic cement and thus when the sections are secured together, there is afforded a sealed air chamber 4 at the center of the housing such that if the device is accidentally dropped in water, the air chamber will cause it to float and permit its recovery.

After the sections are assembled and attached in the manner described, the spring-operated retainers can be assembled readily by compressing each spring with a suitable tool inserted through the slot 5 whereupon the extension I8 on the retainer can be inserted through the slot and into the spring I1, and when released the spring-operated retainer automatically assumes the position illustrated at the bottom of Fig. 12. Since the sprin cannot be easily removed after assembly, the spring retainer is held for movement within the slot 5 so that when the loop of a snell is inserted over a retainer as in Fig.

aces-p44:

12, the hook connected .to the snail can :he in-'- sorted into thev most conveniently;..accessible opening. 7 at the opposite endof the ho.using,..as.

illustrated in Fig. 1.1.,- so that when the hook is released in such position, they spring .11 acts to move the retainer toward aitsireleased position. and thus hold the snell tautwith the-hook en-- gaging the stop portion adjacentsaidopening- The longitudinal walls or partitions. .8 are also in contact and permanently attached, as

shown in Fig. 16, and thus afford a strengthening and bracing means for the outer walls of the.

With the arrangement shown, snells of various lengths can be secured to the holder by attaching the loop end of a snell around a retainer l6 and inserting the hook into a selected opening opposite the retainer, such as to permit drawing the snell tightly. To accomplish this the hook may be inserted into any one of the six series of openings 7 or into the end openings [5, see Fig. 4, the main body of the snell and the portion of the shank of the hook then lying in a groove ll formed in the outer surface of the housing, while the upstanding ridges l3 intermediate the grooves ll serve to act as guards for the snell and prevent its being caught and tangled as a hand or finger is moved across the body of the housing.

The invention aifords a simple and practical structure made entirely of plastic material except for the metail retainers and springs and enabling its manufacture at a minimum cost. It also affords a strong and durable structure which will withstand hard wear and usage, and if accidentally dropped in the water can be salvaged since it will float as a result of the sealed air chamber. The device carries a maximum number of snells and hooks without likelihood of injury from the hooks or tangling of the snells and affords an extremely convenient and simple arrangement enabling a fisherman to have available for instant use and ready detachment a large number of snells of various sizes.

The invention is susceptible of modifications and not limited to the specific arrangement and details disclosed, this application being intended to cover such departures or adaptations as may come within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A fishhook and snell holder comprising a housing consisting of two sections of plastic material permanently secured together, each of said sections having a channeled cross-section with slots at one end to receive spring-actuated retainers and a plurality of series of transversely arranged hook-receiving openings at the other end.

2. A fishhook and snell holder comprising a housing consisting of two sections of plastic material permanently secured together, each of said sections having a channeled cross-section with slots at one end to receive spring-actuated retainers and a plurality of series of transversely arranged hook-receiving openings at the other end, said sections havin grooves in their outer surfaces extending endwise thereof to receive the snells, and ridges between said grooves extending somewhat above portions of the snells when the latter are positioned on the holder.

3. A fishhook and snell holder comprising a. housing consisting of two sections of plastic material permanently secured together, each of said sections having a channeled cross-section with slots at one end to receive spring-operated retainers and a plurality of series of transversely arranged hook-receiving openings at the other end, said sections having inwardly extending transverse partitions contacting and permanently attached to each other forming a sealed air chamber at the center of the housing.

4. A fishhook and snell holder comprising a housing consisting of two sections of plastic material permanently secured together, each of said sections having a channeled cross-section with slots at one end to receive spring-operated retainers and a plurality of series of transversely arranged hook-receiving openings at the other end, .and a sealed air chamber at the center of the housing.

5. A fishhook and snell holder comprising a housing consisting of two sections of plastic material permanently secured together, each of said sections having a channeled cross-section with slots at one end to receive spring-actuated retainers and a plurality of series of transversely arranged hook-receiving openings at the other end, said sections having grooves in their outer surfaces extending endwise thereof to receive the snells, and ridges between said grooves extending somewhat above portions of the snells when the latter are positioned on the holder, said sections having inwardly extending transverse partitions contacting and permanently attached to each other forming a sealed air chamber at the center of the housing.

6. A fishhook and snell holder comprising a housing consisting of two sections of plastic material permanently secured together, each of said sections having a channeled cross-section with slots at one end to receive spring-actuated retainers and a plurality of series of transversely arranged hook-receiving openings at the other end, said sections having curved grooves in their inner surfaces adjacent said slots, springs and spring-actuated retainers seated and movable in said grooves, and a spring-guiding plate arranged between the sections and having curved grooves in its opposite surfaces engaging said springs and retainers.

7. A fishhook and snell holder comprising a housing consisting of two sections of plastic material permanently secured together, each of said sections having a channeled cross-section with slots at one end to receive spring-actuated retainers and a plurality of series of transversely arranged hook-receiving openings at the other end, said sections having curved grooves in their inner surfaces adjacent said. slots, springs and spring-actuated retainers seated and movable in said grooves, and a spring-guiding plate arranged between the sections and having curved grooves in its opposite surfaces engaging said springs and retainers, said sections having grooves in their outer surfaces extending endwise thereof to receive the snells, and ridges between said grooves extending somewhat above portions of the snells when the latter are positioned on the holder.

8. A fishhook and snell holder comprising a housing consisting of two sections of plastic material permanently secured together, each of said sections having a channeled cross-section with slots at one end to receive spring-actuated retainers and a plurality of series of transversely forming a sealed air chamber at the center of 15 the housing.

9. A fishhook and snell holder comprising a housing consisting of two sections of plastic material permanently secured together, each of said 8 sections having a channeled cross-section with slots at one end to receive spring-actuated retainers and a plurality of series of transversely arranged hook-receiving openings at the other iid. said sections having curved grooves in their inner surfaces adjacent said slots, springs and spring-actuated retainers seated and movable in said grooves, a spring-guiding plate arranged between the sections and having curved grooves in its opposite surfaces engaging said springs and retainers, said sections having grooves in their outer surfaces extending endwise thereof to re- 7 ceive the snells, ridges between said grooves extending somewhat above portions of the snells when the latter are positioned on the holder, and a sealed air chamber at the center of the housing.

LEWIS E. HAMEL.

No references cited. 

